Granit Xhaka’s special and Ozil’s responsible one came handy for Arsenal against Newcastle

St. James Park witnessed two sides of game today. First-half belonged to their home side as Rafa Benitez went for attack for the very first-time against the top six sides this season. He didn’t go for five man defense this time as he had gone for against Chelsea and Manchester City. His team really performed well before Granit Xhaka’s special from free-kick and Mesut Ozil’s firing second helped Arsenal register 2-1 away victory.

Newcastle United were really pulling the strings on the counter-attack in first-half as Matt Richie continue to put crosses in the middle from right-hand side. Rafa Benitez is only unlucky that he didn’t have a quality centre-forward to make the most of those crosses.

When you play 4-4-1-1, you really expect your centr-forward to be clinical with the long ball he has been served, but Joselu failed to make an impact. He also didn’t make a very good combination with Antonio Perez who was playing just behind him.

Rafa Benitez is really lacking creative qualities in the middle in the absence of his captain Jonjo Shelvey. We hope he get back soon in the playing XI after recovering from injury.

Spaniard manager once again shown that every top clubs have their weaknesses and you only need to exploit that with your tactical brilliance. He did very well pressing Unai Emery’s Arsenal high line. Paul Dummett and Mo Diame continues to disposes Arsenal attacking players and launching long balls for their attacking front, but it didn’t come handy.

The chances were wasted and Jacob Murphy & Matt Ritchie’s crosses didn’t prove enough to find a goal for The Magpies. It was Arsenal who had the first say on the scoresheet as Xhaka opened the scoring from a brilliant free-kick.

Federico Fazio fouled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang outside the penalty area. It was quite a distant to go for the goal, but Swiss international produced one of his special to lead Arsenal in 49th minute. As Benitez says that all your hard work and efforts can be taken away from you from one silly mistake and it happened in front of his own eyes once again.

Fazio’s foul become the turning point. Within 10 minutes, Arsenal had another goal. Alexandre Lacazette’s shot was blocked but it felled for rebound from Mesut Ozil. German international who has suffered all the criticism in recent times on his racist remark and international retirement, silent his critics with one of his finest finish to give Arsenal 2-0 lead.

Ciaran Clark did find the consolation for Newcastle United in injury-time, but it was too late. Anyhow, Rafa Benitez didn’t need a consolation. He was looking for a solid win to end the start of their disastrous campaign. Newcastle United only have one point from five games. it’s their worst start in the Premier League.